Signature Snaps: Top 5 special teams plays

Watch the video and vote for your favorite in the poll

GREEN BAY—Signature Snaps is back, our look at the top plays from the previous season, along with a poll allowing you to vote for your favorite.

We’ll continue our review of 2013 with the top five special teams plays, listed and described here in chronological order.

Be sure to watch the video and vote in the poll. The top vote-getter in each Signature Snaps category will qualify for the final posting in the series, Play of the Year.

Top 5 special teams plays of 2013

Micah Hyde, 93-yard punt return TD at Minnesota, Week 8

Two weeks prior, Hyde had taken the reins on punt returns in Baltimore, and late in the first half in Minnesota he helped break open the game with a 93-yard run to paydirt, the Packers’ longest punt return in six years and tied for the fourth longest all-time. It gave the Packers a 24-10 lead in a game they would eventually win, 44-31.

Jamari Lattimore, blocked punt vs. Chicago, Week 9

With QB Aaron Rodgers out of the game, the Packers got a big lift from their special teams against the Bears. Late in the first quarter with Chicago ahead 7-6, Lattimore came unblocked and smothered Bears punter Adam Podlesh’s kick; Podlesh had never previously had a punt blocked in his career. Packers S Chris Banjo recovered the ball and one play later RB James Starks ran 32 yards for a TD to give the Packers the lead.

Jamari Lattimore, onside kick recovery vs. Chicago, Week 9

Another big play from the special teams and Lattimore came early in the third quarter, right after the Packers had tied the game at 17. The surprise onside kick was recovered by Lattimore near midfield, and the Packers took advantage to drive for a go-ahead field goal.

Mason Crosby, 57-yard FG at N.Y. Giants, Week 11

In an impressive bounce-back season, Crosby hit five field goals from 50-plus yards, and this one came on the final play of the first half at MetLife Stadium and pulled the Packers to within 10-6 at intermission. It’s the longest outdoor field goal in team history, one yard shy of Crosby’s franchise-record 58-yarder in the Metrodome in 2011. Crosby also hit a second 57-yarder this past season, indoors at Dallas.

Micah Hyde, 70-yard kickoff return vs. Pittsburgh, Week 16

The Packers’ kickoff-return game never found its footing all season and eventually turned to Hyde, who hadn’t carried out the duty since high school. The Packers had just given up the go-ahead touchdown to the Steelers with 1:25 left when Hyde took the ensuing kickoff, cut to his right and found a seam, going 70 yards in all for the team’s longest kickoff return of the season. The Packers offense eventually reached the 1-yard line in the closing moments of the game but couldn’t get the tying score.